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Stay ConnectedRick Caruso on Real Estate Development
Presented by the CDO and the J. Reuben Clark Law Society
As L.A. Business Journal’s “Developer of the Year,” the past President of the Police Commission for the City of Los Angeles, Conejo Valley’s “Man of the Year,” and the youngest Commissioner for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) in the city’s history, Rick Caruso has earned his reputation as an extraordinary businessman and a compassionate member of the community. Before entering the real estate development industry, Mr. Caruso was “Of Counsel” to one of the country’s largest law firms as a member of the corporate finance department until 1988.
Mr. Caruso received a Bachelor of Science Degree with honors from the University of Southern California in 1980, and graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983 with his Juris Doctor degree. During his law school career, Mr. Caruso was designated a Brock Scholar. In 1995, he was recognized as the Alumnus of the Year from Pepperdine School of Law.
Mr. Caruso has lectured on real estate issues at the Kennedy School of Public Administration at Harvard University, the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning, and Development, and the Pacific Resources 1997 Conference. He has guest lectured at the Lusk Center for Real Estate Development at the University of Southern California, and the Urban Land Institute. He participates annually as a guest panelist for the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). He is also a member of the Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.
Mr. Caruso’s commitment to developing high-quality retail centers that push the bounds of the industry has earned him numerous awards, including:
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR (2001)
House Ear Institute
ICSC’S 24TH INTERNATIONAL DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT AWARD (2000)
Innovative Design & Construction of a New Project for the Commons at Calabasas
URBAN LAND INSTITUTE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE (1999)
The Commons at Calabasas
HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR (1999)
National Conference for Community and Justice
SHELDON W. ANDELSON AWARD (1999)
“Building Beautiful Places that Enhance our Communities”
ICSC’S 22ND INTERNATIONAL DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT AWARD, INNOVATIVE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PROJECT (1998)
The Promenade at Westlake
MAN OF THE YEAR (1997)
Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce
GOLD NUGGET GRAND AWARD (1997)
Best Commercial Project for Retail; Promenade at Westlake
DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR (1996)
L. A. Business Journal
Mr. Caruso is actively involved in numerous community organizations and is a member of the following:
•Board of Councilors, University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development
•Board of Governors, L.A. Children’s Museum
•Board of Directors, California Medical Center Foundation
•Pepperdine School of Law Board of Visitors
•National Institute of Transplantation
•Saint John’s Hospital
